Valve



VALVE vD= I9, 1950 I.. B. COURTOT 2,534,577

Filed Sept. 19, 1945 INVENTOR. OU/6 B. COUETOT A TTOEA/fys l PatentedDec. 19, 1950 VALVE Louis B. Courtot, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to TheWeatherhead Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationSeptember 19, 1945, Serial No. 617,274

Claims.

My invention relates to valves and has for its principal object theprovision of a low-torque valve for vapors, gases and liquids.

It is an object of my invention to provide a valve which may be operatedby a rotatable handle or stem, which is relatively small, compact andeasily manufactured in comparison with conventional taper plug valves,or straight plug valves, and which avoids the necessity for closetolerances to prevent leakage.

A further object of the invention is to minimize the torque required foroperating a valve and to overcome the effects of low temperature intending to freeze or solidify valve-packing or gasket material andtending to increase the torque required to operate the valve.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement for rolling avalve closure member onto or away from a valve seat.

Still another object is to cause the pressure of the fluid beingcontrolled to assist in sealing the valve.

Other and' further objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out the invention in accordance with a preferred formthereof, a chamber is provided having one or more lateral ports orapertures for ingress or egress of fluid. A rotor vis provided in thechamber in the form of a ring- .fl

shaped closure member adapted to be rolled over whichever valve port isto be closed. Suitable means such as a cam is provided for rolling theclosure member into or out of port-closing position. Preferably, eachvalve port or the closure member is faced with resilient or relativelysoft gasketing material to prevent leakage and the dimensions are suchthat the resilient material is placed under compression to insure aleaktight joint when the closure member is in the port-closing position.

Preferably relief spaces are provided at the sides of the rotor to keepthe torque at a low value in opening the flow through the valve port. Inorder to guard against blocking or wedging of the closure memberoperating cam in the valve-closing position in the event of the freezingor solidication of the resilient sealing material during low temperatureconditions, the cam is spring-loaded so as to provide for reduction ofradius thereof in opening the valve.I

A better understanding of the invention will be afforded by thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a view of an embodiment of my invention shown partially insection as cut by a plane through the rotation axis of the valve stem;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. l represented as cut bya plane 2-2 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the valve stem showingthe rotor in the valve-closed position; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 showing the valverotor in the open position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing a valvearrangement for over-coming tendency toward increased torque at lowtemperature, with the rotor represented in the closed position for onevalve port; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of Fig. 4 represented ascut by a plane 5 5 perpendicular to the valve stem showing the portarrangement for a two-way valve.

Like reference characters are utilized throughout the drawing todesignate like parts.

The arrangement illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and 3 comprises a valve bodyli having nipples i2 and I3 for making inlet and outlet connections, andhaving a chamber I4 adapted to receive a hollow rotor or valve-closuremember i5. The chamber I4 has a threaded opening at the top receiving anut IS with a central bore ll accommodating the valve stem iB. Thechamber E4 preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical boreextending through the body Il only at the upper end.

A cam i9 secured to, or integral with the valve stem I8 is provided forrolling the rotor i5 into open or closed valve positions, and suitablemeans such as a handle 2| are secured to the stein i3 for rotating it. Apacking gland 22 is provided to prevent leakage between the valve body Hand the nut i6 and a suitable seal such as an O-ring seal 23 is providedfor preventing leakage around the valve stem ii?. A well 24 is formed inthe lower portion of the valve body ll for receiving the foot of thevalve stem i8.

A lateral outlet port 25 is formed at the side of the chamber i4communicating with the outlet nipple i3, and there is an inlet port 25which is also preferably a lateral port communicating with the inletnipple i2. For the sake of compactness, both inlet and outlet ports areat the side of the chamber I4 so as to form lateral ports. However, theinvention is not limited thereto, nor is the invention limited to theuse of lspecific portsl as inlet and outlet ports. The functions of theports may be interchanged or the valve may be employed in lines whereflow of fluid in either direction may take place. In order t0 preventleakage around the valve port when the valve is in a closed position,the surface of the chamber lll (at least around the valve port) or thesurface of the rotor i (at least the portion which engages the valveport) is preferably resilient cr faced with a resilient coating. in thespecic arrangement illustrated, the rotor is in the form or" a hollowcylinder or ring having a backing ring 2 composed of relatively durable,abrasion-resisting, preferably rigid, material such as steel or othermetal or a tough durable plastic, for example, and a relatively soft orresilient surface comprising in the specific arrangement illustrated, aring of soft rubber or rubberwlilre natural or synthetic material bondedto the backing ring 2.

The torque required to rotate the cam i9 from the position shown in Fig.2 in which the valve port 25 is closed, is diminished by reason of thefact that the cam I9 is narrower than the valve port 25. If one assumesthat the direction of ow of iiuid is in the direction of the arrow 29and the rotor is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the flow of fluid intothe valve port 25 is closed by the rotoi` I5, and the pressure of theiluid entering the valve port 25 helps to seal the valve port 25. Theconstruction is symmetrical so that the same action would be obtainedwith the ow in the reversed direction if the rotor I9 is in a position180 from that shown in Fig. 2. Where the pressure of the fluid to besealed is relatively great, and it is desired to obtain the assistanceof the fluid pressure in sealing the valve, it is desirable to operatethe valve in such a manner that the closed port is the one away from theentrance of i the fluid. However, the invention is not limited tooperating the valve in this manner, and if desired, the valve may beclosed in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the fluid flowing in thedirection opposite from that indicated by the ary row 2S.

In order to open the valve port fully in the valve construction show-nin Figs. l, 2 and 3, the valve stem I3 and the cam I9 are rotated ninetydegrees to the yposition represented in Fig. 3. In orto obtain themaximum flow of fluid when the valve is in the open position Withoutmaking the rotor any smaller in diameter than necessary, the differencein diameter between the chamber I4 and the resilient surface of therotor i5 is made equal to one-half the radius of the outlet port 25. Theaverage cross-sectional area for passage of duid around the surface 28of the rotor l5 is thereby made substantially equal to thecross-sectional area of the port 25.

Owing to the resiliency of the coating 28, tight sealing of the port 25is obtained when the valve is in the closed position withoutnecessitating close tolerances of the dimensions of the various parts ofthe valve. Furthermore, the parts of the mechanism are relatively easilyconstructed and assembled, and lovv torque is required for rotating thehandle 2l; the construction is quite compact and lends itself readily tointerchangeability or reversal of flow of the liquid or fluid to becontrolled.

A new sealing face is presented upon each rotation of the valve stem I8to a new ,position by reason of the rotation of the sealing member orrotor I5. When the valve is used With most liquids the soft face 23slides between ports in the manner of a squeegee but rolls when the caml is moved along a port. On the other hand, if the valve is used on airthe rotor I5 rolls during the entire travel from port to port.

Valves of the type constructed in accordance with my invention lendthemselves readily to op' eration at a wide variation of temperatures.Where the temperature is expected to fall so low that the soft resilientface 23 of the rotor I5 may be caused to freeze or solidify so as tobecome virtually a solid, inflexible mass, I prefer to provide aspring-loading arrangement for the cam I9 in order to maintain at aminimum the torque required to turn the valve from the closed positionto the open position.

A suitable spring-loading cam arrangement for operation down toextremely low temperatures is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. A valve stem35 is provided, the central portion of which has been machined to form asquare post 35. A separate channel-shaped cam 31 is provided having aslot portion or central channel 38 adapted to t over .parallel sides ofthe post 35. One or more compression springs 39, depending upon thelength of the square portion 35 of the valve stem 35, are provided forpressing the nose portion Il! of the cam dl' against the inner metallicmember 2'! of the rotor I5. Suitable means such as locating pins 42 setin corresponding sockets are provided for retaining the compressionspring means 39.-

In the event that the temperature of the fluid or of the surroundings ofthev valve should fall to such a low value that the portion of theresilient face 23 in Contact with the seat 43 around the valve port 25should be frozen in compressed condition so that the thickness of theresilient face 28 at the valve seat 43 is considerably less than thethickness in the uncompressed portions, there would be a tendency forconsiderable torque to be required to roll the rotor I5 out of theclosed position of the valve to the open position of the valve if thedimensions were such that the cam 3l is in close contact or pressestightly against the inner ring 2l when the valve is in the closedposition. In order to overcome the torque which would be required forrotating the cam 37 from the closed position to the open position of thevalve under such low temperature conditions, the spring-loading 39 hasbeen provided which permits the cam 3l to recede sufficiently to ride upwhat amounts to a -wedge or incline to the uncompressed portion.Although 'rubber-like material such as natural soft rubber, andsynthetic soft rubber tend to freeze in what appears to be a solid,inflexible condition at low temperatures, after a lapse of time thematerial (even at such low temperatures) does assume its originaldiiensions when pressure is relieved. Consequently, after the valverotor I5 has been rotated to the valve-open position, such asrepresented by the position of Fig. 3, for example, the portion of theseat 28 which has been compressed against the valve seat 43, expandsagain to its normal uncompressed condition so that in a subsequentclosing of the valve adequate sealing effect is obtained.

Fig. 5 illustrates also the manner of arrangement of parte to obtain amulti-point valve in accordance with my invention. rf'hus as in thearrangement specifically shown in Fig. 5, there may be a single inletport 25 and a pair of outlet ports 25 and 45. If desired, thearrangement may also be reversed with the ports 25 and e5 serving asdual inlet ports, and the port 25 serving as a single outlet port. Flowof fluid may be stopped entirely by rolling the rotor I5 over the port25, and the oW of fluid may be diverted from the port 25 to the port 45or vice versa by rolling the rotor to the position shown in Fig. 5 or tothe position therefrom. Where the diretion of fluid ow in a dual outletvalve is such as represented by the arrows shown in Fig. 5, namely outthrough either the port 25 or the port 45, the cam-loading spring 39 maybe relatively light and the pressure of the fluid itself serves toassist in sealing the resilient face 28 against the valve seat 43.

For indefinitely increasing the life of the resilient rotor facing 28and preventing cutting thereof, the valve seats formed by theintersection of the ports 25, 26 and 45 with the central bore arepreferably made with a radius at Said intersections such that there issubstantially no tendency for the seat material and the resilient facing28 to be cut as the rotor is rolled out of the position closing thevalve port.

I have herein shown and particularly described certain embodiments of myinvention and certain methods of operation embraced therein for thepurpose of explaining its principle of operation and showing itsapplication, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatmany modifications and variations are possible, and I aim, therefore, tocover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope ofmy invention which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamg ber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidWall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said wall portion, a composite generally annular closure`member ycomprising a thin walled springy backing annulus and arubber-like cover for said annulus, said closure member having rollingcontact with the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wallportion extending at least 90 to one side of said port, kcontrol meansfor rolling said closure member to and from a position overlying saidport, said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentricwith said chamber wall portion and operator means carried by said shaftengaging the said springy backing annulus, said operator means being ofsmaller section than the internal diameter of said annulus whereby saidannulus may flex as the closure member rolls across said port.

2. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in said'wall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said wall portion, a composite generally annular closuremember cornprising a thin walled springy backing annulus and arubber-like cover for said annulus, said closure member having rollingcontact with the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wallportion extending at least 90 to one side of said port, control meansfor rolling said closure member to and from a position overlying saidport, said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentricwith said chamber wall portion and operator means carried by said shaftengaging the said springy backing annulus, said operator means being ofsmaller section than the internal diameter of said annulus whereby saidannulus may flex as the closure member rolls across said port, said portbeing relieved around the ,edges thereof for reducing the torquerequired to roll the closure member away from said aperture.

3. A valve comprising a body having a charnber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said port lying with-a in the cylindricalsurface of said vwall portion, a composite generally annular closuremember comprising a thin walled springy backing annulus and arubber-like cover for said annulus, said elo-'- sure member havingrolling contact with the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindricalwall portion extending at least to one side of said port,` control meansfor rolling said closure member to and from a position overlying saidport, said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentricwith said chamber wall portion and a cam carried by said shaft extendingwithin said closure member and engaging the said springy backingannulus, said cam being of smaller section than the internal diameter ofsaid annulus, and means resiliently urging said cam against said annuluswhereby said annulus may flex as the closure membervrolls across saidport.

4. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamn ber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said Wall portion, a generally annular closure member havinga wall portion with an outer diameter less than the diameter of saidchamber wall portion and an internal diameter greater than the radius ofsaid chamber wall portion, said closure member having rolling contactwith the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wall portionextending at least 90 to one side of said port, .control means forrolling said closure member to and from a position overlying said port,said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentric with saidchamber wall portion and operator means carried by said shaft locallyengaging the said internal wall portion of said closure member over anarc not greater than that encompassed by said port, and yielding meansinterposed between said closure member and said chamber wall portion inthe zone of contact therebetween.

5. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said wall portion, a generally annular closure member havinga wall portion with an outer diameter less than the diameter of saidchamber wall portion and an internal diameter greater than the radius ofsaid chamber wall portion, said closure member having rolling contactwith the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wall portionextending at leastr90 to one side of said port, control means forrolling said closure member to and from a position overlying said port,said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentric with saidchamber wall portion and a `cam carried by said shaft engaging the saidinternal wall portion of said closure member, said cam being of smallersection than the internal diameter of said closure member, meansresiliently urging said cam against said closure member, and yieldingmeans interposed between said closure member and said chamber wallportion in the zone of contact therebetween.

6. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said wall portion. a composite generally annular closuremember having a Wall portion with an outer diameter less` than thediameter of said chamber wall portion: and an internal diameter greaterthan the radius of said chamber Wall portion, said closure membercomprising a thin walled springy backing annulus and a rubber-like coverfor said annulus, said closure member having rolling contact with theWall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wall portion extending atleast 90 to one side of said port, control means for rolling saidclosure member to and from a position overlying said port, said controlmeans comprising a shaft concentric with said chamber wall portion andoperator means carried by said shaft engaging the said springy backingannulus, said operator means being of smaller section than the internaldiameter o1" said annulus whereby said annulus may Ilex as the closuremember rolls across said port.

7. A valve comprising a body having a chamber. formed therein and aninlet port for said chamber, a wall portion of said chamber having facylindrical surface, an outlet port in said wall portion the margin ofsaid port lying within the cylindrical surface of said wall portion, agenerally annular closure member for said outlet port having a wall ofuniform thickness, said closure member having rolling Contact with thewall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wall portion extending atleast 90 to one side oi said port, control means for rolling saidclosure member to and from a position overlying said outlet port, saidcontrol means comprising a shaft substantially concentric with saidchamber Wall portion and operator means carried f by said shaftextending within and engaging the inner wall of said closure member,said operator means being of smaller section than the internal diameterof said annulus to apply local pressure tending to close said outletport.

8. A Valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion, a generally annular closure member having a resilientouter face with an outer diameter less than the internal diameter ofsaid chamber wall portion and an internal diameter greater than theinternal radius of said chamber wallA portion, control means for movingsaid vclosure member over the chamber wall and to and from a positionoverlying said port, said con- ;trol means comprising a shaftsubstantially concentric with said chamber wall portion and an operatorcarried by said shaft engaging the said internal wall portion of saidclosure member to urge said resilient face against the wall of saidchamber, said operator being of smaller section than the internaldiameter oi' said closure member, the coeilcient of friction` betweensaid operator and internal wall portion of the closure member being lessthan that between the cylindrical wall surface of the chamber and theresilient closure face when the closure member overfaces to the port asthe valve is operated.

9. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said chamber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said port lying within the cylindricalsurface of said wall portion, a relatively thin-walled curved, springyclosure member for said port, said closure member having a smallerradius of curvature than that of said cylindrical wall surface, saidclosure member being of uniform Wall thickness and having rollingcontact with the Wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical Wallportion extending at least 90 to one side of said port, control meansfor rolling said closure member to and from a position overlying saidport, said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentricwith said cylindrical chamber wall portion and eccentric operator meanscarried by said shaft, said operator means having a curved nose inengagement with, and of smaller radius than, that of the inner surfaceof said closure member, said operator means being otherwise clear ofsaid closure member, whereby said closure member may ilex as said curvednose rolls the closure member rolls across said port.

l0. A valve comprising a body having a chamber formed therein, a wallportion of said charnber having a cylindrical surface, a port in saidwall portion the margin of said portv lying Within the cylindricalsurface of said Wall portion, a relatively thin-Walled curved, springyclosure member for said port, said closure member having a smallerradius of curvature than that of said cylindrical wall surface, saidclosure member being of uniform Wall thickness and having rollingcontact with the wall portion of said chamber, said cylindrical wallportion extending at least 90 to one side of said port, control meansfor rolling said closure member to and from a position overlying saidport, said control means comprising a shaft substantially concentricwith said cylindrical chamber wall portion and eccentric operator meanscarried by said shaft, said operator means having a curved nose portionin engagement with and of smaller radius than that of the inner surfaceof said closure member, said operator means being otherwise clear ofsaid closure member, and spring means on said control means to urge saidcurved nose portion against said closure member, whereby said closuremember may flex as said curved nose rolls the closure member rollsacross said port.

LOUIS B. COURTOT.

REFERENCES CITED The `following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 109,730 Hanks Nov. 29, 1870160,640 Bird Mar. 9, 1875 756,492 Gold Apr, 5, 1904 870,377 Marett Nov.5, 1907 1,028,134 Raymaker June 4, 1912 1,755,057 Fagan Apr. 15, 19302,431,593 Strike Nov. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date624,406 Germany Dec. 24, 1935

